Slicing machine



.lune 23, 1936. cA LlTTLl-:Fu-:LD

SLICING MACHINE 6 Shee's-Sheet l Filed March 2, 1954 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS wfg @OGOOOGOGGGG G O G s e o G o e O G s June 23, 1936. c. L ITTLEFIELD SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1954 6 $heetSSheet 2 GOG xNvENToR 8%@ ATTORNEYS o SE @ iw EN LICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Si) d- QS ATTORNEYS June 23, 1936, c. LITTLEFIELD SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 6dr/ /f//f ff'cf/d BY @MKM Filed March 2, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR June 23, 1936. c. I ITTLEFIELB SLICING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1934 6 SheetS-Sheet 6 Patented June 23, 1936 PATENT FFICEV suclnc MACHINE Carl Littlefield, Battle Creek, Mich., assignorto Battle Creek Bread Wrapping 'Machine Company, Battle Creek, Mich.

Application March 2,

39 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a slicing machine which is efcient in the slicing ofloaves of bread of spongy or porous texture.

Second, to provide in a slicing machine an imbe operatively associated with a wrapping machine to deliver thereto, thereby securing a continuous slicing and wrapping operation.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved slicing machine, a fragment of the wrapping machine being shown in 4operative relation thereto and the articles to be sliced being indicated thereon,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in longitudinal section o-n line 2--2 of Figs. 3 and 11.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view partially in horizontal section on line 3--3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view in vertical section on line 4 4 of Fig. 5 showing details of the knife or cutter units and the driving means therefore in their relation to the feed conveyor.

Fig. 5 is a detail section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of one of the cutter units and its slides removed from the machine.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of portions of the feed conveyors and illustrating the operative relation thereof to the articles fed thereby.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 9 showing details of the feed conveyor driving means.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line 9--9 of Figs. 3 and 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail section on a. line corresponding to line IIJ- III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a detail horizontal section on line II-II of Fig. 2.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings the frame I is of 1934, Serial No. 713,678

(Cl. 14S-153) a character and of such dimensions as to properly support the various parts of the machine but the details of the frame will be referred to only insofar as they directly relate-'to particular elements to be described.

The slicing mechanism comprises a slicing table 2 having a series of parallel slots 3 receiving the blades 4 mounted to reciprocate in these slots. The table 2 is detachably and adjustably mounted on the brackets 5 disposed in opposed relation on the side members of the frame and rabbeted to receivethe ends of the table grips 6 secured by the nuts I a l.ustably holding the table in position,. 1qvi -tli Ythe `fingers resulting from the slots which are open at the inner edge of the table between the blades. The forward ends of the fingers are preferably beveled as shown in Fig. 4. The table has a series of clearance or discharge holes 8 therein for the discharge of crumbs or debris resulting from the slicing.

Side plates or end guides 9 are adjustably mounted on the delivery table, these end guides having supporting brackets I0 adjustably secured by means of the clamping screws II in the slots I2. These end guides have longitudinal ribs I3 on their inner sides and the forward ends of the guides extend between the cutters as shown in Fig. 3. These ribs serve to hold the end slices and through them, owing to the slight compression, the entire sliced loaf in assembled relation as it is delivered across the table to the wraping machine conveyor.

I provide two cutter or knife units, each consisting of a frame I4 preferably formed as an integral aluminum casting and including upper and lower knife supporting bars I5 and I6, respectively, these bars having horizontal perforated ribs receiving the knife or blade coupling members I1 and I8. The upper coupling members are preferably provided with tensioning springs I9. The connections for the blades to the coupling members are conventionally shown in Fig. 6.

The cutter frames are provided with slides 2li of V cross section which coact with correspondingly shaped vertical ways 2| on the frame. The slides 20 have inwardly projecting journals 22 which engage the bearings 23 provided therefor in the frames, see Fig. 6. The cutter units are reciprocated so that one moves upwardly while the other moves downwardly, thereby minimizing i.,

the tendency of the cutters to displace the articles acted upon by the cutters.

The driving means in the embodiment illustrated comprises a crank shaft 24 having opposed cranks for the connecting rods 25. These connecting rods are connected to the crossheads 26 reciprocating in the cylinderlike vertical guides 21, pitman rods 28 being connected to these crossheads and having reduced portions 29 arranged through bores in the boss 39 on the lower cross piece of the cutter frames and detachably secured thereto by means of the nuts 3|. The slideways 2| are open at the top of the frame so that by releasing the pitman rod and removing the table 2 the cutter units may be removed as such from the machine. This is of particular advantage in that it allows the substitution of other cutter units so that the machine may be kept in substantially continuous operation while the knives are being sharpened, or permits substitution of other cutter frames with different spacing of knives for producing slices of different thickness. This, however, is usually quite standardized. Such a substitution of knives of different spacing would require the substitution of a table correspondingly spaced.

'I'he casing 32 for the crank shaft and crosshead guides is preferably adapted as an oil reservoir so that the parts may be kept efficiently lubricated. Packings 33 are provided for the rods 28, it being desirable to exclude lubricant as much as possible from the exposed parts of the machine.

While the articles to be sliced are acted upon by the knives they are held downwardly by means of finger-like holders 34 carried by the arms 35 having limited pivotal movement on the rod 36 disposed transversely across the machine. 'I'his rod is provided with pins 31 engaging the slots 38 in the arms, the slots being of such length as to limit the movement of the arms and consequently the swing of the holder members. The holder members project between the cutters, extending well beyond the rear cutters, so that the slices are urged thereby downwardly upon the table until the loaf is completely discharged from the cutter.

The supporting rod 36 is carried by brackets 36' on the frame and has anarm 39 carrying the adjusting nut 39' which coacts with a stop 40. This stop has threaded engagement with the arm so that the position of the holders may be accurately adjusted. The bracket is'split at 4 I, a clamping screw 42 being provided for clamping the rod in its adjusted positions.

The slicer feed conveyor is designed to feed the articles to the knife in a continuous stream and the articles are carried through the knives by the thrust of succeeding articles. This feed means comprises a bottom conveyor including a pair of conveyor chains 43 carried by the sprockets 44 on the shafts 45 and 46. These conveyor chains carry slats 41 preferably provided with longitudinal ribs 48. These slats are quite close together so that each article conveyed is engaged and supported by a plurality of slats. 'I'he ribs are provided to insure more effective engagement.

The shaft 46 is positioned so that the articles are delivered from this bottom conveyor to the slicing table, the relation of these parts being clearly shown in Fig. 4. 'I'he conveyor side bars or guides 49 are carried by the standards or brackets 50 adjustably supported by the adjusting screws 5| and 52. 'I'he brackets are simultaneously adjusted to and from each other. 'Ihe screw 5| is provided with a hand Wheel 53 and is connected to the screw 52 by means of suitable chain and coacting sprockets designated generally by the numeral 64.

The upper reaches of the conveyor chains 43 are supported by means of bars 55, see Fig. 2. The conveyor chains slide along on these bars which prevent the sagging thereof and hold the conveyor slats in alined position while carrying the articles." Y'Io further position the articles fed to the cutters, that is, so that the article is properly presented to the knives, the entire guide bar unit consisting of the guide bars and supporting screws may be adjusted laterally of themachine through the adjusting screw 56 which carries the yoke 51 engaging the ends of the screws 5| and 52 which are mounted in their bearings for limited sliding longitudinal adjustment.

The slicing machine feed mechanism also comprises a top conveyor acting to engage the tops of the loaves, holding them upon a bottom conveyor and also slightly compressing them to eliminate holes the presence of which is likely to result in distorted and broken slices. pressing action is conventionally illustrated in Fig. 7.

This top conveyor comprises supporting chains 58 with slats 59 extending between the same and carried thereby.

Sprockets 60 and 6| are carried by an adjustable support comprising the slides 62 supported in the slideways 63 in the side members of the frame, see Figs. 2 and 3, these slidesbeing provided with brackets 64 engaged by the adjusting '7 screws 65 rotatably supported on the fixed brackets 66. The sprockets 6| are mounted on suitable journals or spindles carried by the slides.

The sprocket Wheels 6| are carried by the tiltably mounted frames 61 which are pivoted on the drive shaft 61' of the sprockets 6| and adjustably supported by the screws 68. This enables the raising and lowering of the front end of the top conveyor. The frame 61 is longitudinally slotted at 69 to receive the shaft 18 of the pulleys 60 so that the sprocket chains may be adjusted by means of the screws 1|, the sprockets being rotatable on this shaft. The supporting bars 12 carried by the frames 61 serve to support the bottom reaches of theconveyor chains 58 when in loaf engaging position. The brackets 36 carrying the pivot rod 36 for the holders 34 are adjustably mounted on these upper conveyor supports 61, set screws 13 being provided for securing them in adjusted positions.

'I'he screws 65 are connected to be simultaneously rotated by means of the hand wheel 15 which is mounted on the shaft 16, this shaft being connected by the sprocket chain 11 and suitable sprockets to a shaft 18 disposed transversely of the frame and having beveled gears 19 thereon meshing with the beveled gears on the lower ends of the screws 65.

The driving shaft 61 for the sprockets 6| is provided with beveled gears 8| meshing with the beveled gears 82 splined to the vertical shafts 83, these shafts having beveled gears 84 on their lower ends meshing with coacting gears 35 on the shaft 46. This shaft 46 is connected to the driven shaft 86 by means of a variable speed transmission designated generally by the numeral 81. The gear box and the adjusting member 88 are the only parts of this transmission illustrated.

The shaft 86 is preferably driven from the wrapping machine, fragments of the intake conveyor of which are shown in operative relation to the slicing mechanism, see Figs. l, 3 and 4. A portion of the delivery mechanism of the wrapping machine is indicated at Fig. 1. The sprocket The comchain 89'connects thedlscharge conveyor of the wrapping machine, designated generally by the numeral 90, to the shaft 86 through a sleeve |23 and a clutch designated generally by the numeral |24.

The intake conveyor of the wrapping machine comprises the slideway 9| and the endless conveyor 92 having flights 93 cooperating with this slideway. The articles to be wrapped are discharged from the slicing delivery table 2 upon the receiving table 94 from which they are pushed on to the way 9| between the side members 95 and picked up and carried along by the flights. The wrapper feed control trip 9B is positioned to be engaged by the articles carried along by the flights. The conveyor side members 95 extend into cooperating relation with the guide members 9 of the delivery table.

The articles to be sliced are in the embodiment illustrated delivered to the slicing conveyor consisting of the slideway 91 along which the articles are carried by the flights 98. These flights are pivotally mounted on the conveyor chains 99, certain of the links of the conveyor chains being provided with brackets for the flight pivots |0|. The flights have supporting arms |02 which coact with the guides |03 for supporting the flights in upright position relative to the conveyor way 91, see Figs. 1, 3 and 9.

The feed conveyor delivers upon the feed table |04 across which the articles to be sliced are pushed by succeeding articles on to the bottom slicer feed conveyor. One of the side bars 49 is provided with an extension |05 disposed at the side of the feed conveyor opposed to the work table |06.

In the structure illustratedv the workman pushes the loaves from this table |06 on to the conveyor way 91 between the flights by which they are picked up and advanced and delivered, as stated, to the table |04. As the flight carrying brackets- |00 pass to the sprockets on the conveyor drive shaft |08 the guide arms |02 are released from the guide |03 and the flights tilt backwardly and drop through the space ||0 between the receivirg table |04 of the slicer and the end of the conveyor way, see Figs. 3 and 9.

The front side member of the slicing conveyor has an extension see Figs. l and 3, which shifts the loaves longitudinally, assuming that they have not been previously properly positioned, and properly centers them relative to the slicing conveyor. The spring fingers ||2 are provided on the side bars of the slicer feed conveyor, see Fig. 3, for the purpose of supporting the bread as it is picked up or engaged by the slicing conveyor. These spring fingers also serve to straighten up the loaf should it be presented at an angle as it is engaged by the bottom slicer conveyor.

The feed conveyor shaft |08 is driven from the sprocket chain |09 coacting with a suitable sprocket wheel on the sleeve |23. The sprocket chain |09 drives the shaft 08 through a sprocket wheel M3 which is rotatably mounted on the. flanged sleeve H4 and having a yielding driving connection thereto consisting of the spring pressed dog ||5 engaging a coacting recess IIE in the flange H1. The sleeve ||4 is keyed to a sleeve ||8 on the shaft and is adjustably connected to the shaft through the handwheel |I9. A spring pressed pin is mounted on the hand wheel to engage holes |2| in the flange |22 of the sleeve H8. This connection provides for a release or slippage of the conveyor drive in the event of the feed becoming jammed, the yielding driving connection being such that the machine is driven with a suitable degree of positiveness for ordinary operation but in the event of jamming the driving connection is broken or slips so that damage is minimized.

The adjustable connection enables the adjustment of the feed conveyor with the wrapper conveyor mechanism and enables the adaptation of the machine to loaves of different widths. The proper speed of the slicer conveyor is secured through the timing or variable speed gear 81.

The clutch |24 iscontrolled from a trip |25 disposed to project through an opening in the conveyor way 91, this trip being mounted on a rockshaft |26 connected by the link |21 to the clutch control member |28. The clutch is of such type that when the operator keeps the feed conveyor supplied with loaves of bread so that each flight carries a loaf and delivers it to the slicer conveyor the clutch remains in constant driving connection for the drive sleeve |23 to the shaft 86. However, in the event that a vacancy occurs in the conveyor load the control member |28 remains in position to disengage the clutch, thereby momentarily stopping the slicer conveyor.

In the event it is desired to continuously drive the slicer without regard to the feeding of loaves by the feed conveyor, for example, such as in clearing the slicer, the control member |28 is locked out of operative position by means of the dog |29 which coacts with the arm |30 on the rockshaft |26, these parts being conventionally shown in Fig. 1.

I have illustrated and described my improved slicing and feeding means in an embodiment which I have found highly satisfactory. I have not attempted to illustrate certain embodiments and adaptations or modifications thereof which might be desirable to meet different conditions as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter m'eans comprising a plurality of reciprocating blades, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, said guide members being provided with longitudinal ribs on their inner sides, a bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprising coacting chains and sprockets and slats carried by the chains, the faces of the slats being longitudinally ribbed, a driven shaft for the rear sprockets of said bottom conveyor, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor disposed with their rear ends adjacent the forward ends of said guide bars on said slicing table, a Jtop conveyor comprising spaced sprocket chains and coacting sprockets and slats carried by the chains, the slats having rounded faces, vertically adjustable slides provided with brackets having journals for the rear sprockets of the top conveyor, supporting frames for the forward sprockets of said top conveyor tiltably mounted on said journals, adjusting screws for said top conveyor frames, adjusting screws for said slides having gears on their lower ends, an adjusting shaft for said top conveyor provided with gears coacting with said gears on said adjusting screws whereby the slides are simultaneously adjusted, and vertical top conveyor driving shafts having gear connections with said driven shaft of said bottom conveyor and having gears splined thereto coacting with gears connected to the rear sprocket of said top conveyor.

'2. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter means comprising a plurality of reciproeating blades, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, a bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprising coacting chains and sprockets and slats carried by the chains, a driven shaft for the rear sprockets of said bottom conveyor, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor disposed with their rear ends adjacent the forward ends of said guide bars on said slicing table, a top conveyor comprising spaced sprocket chains and coacting sprockets and slats carried by the chains, vertically adjustable slides provided with brackets having journals for the rear sprockets ofthe top conveyor, supporting frames for the forward sprockets of said top conveyor tiltably mounted on said journals, adjusting screws for said top conveyor frames, adjusting screws for said slides having gears on their lower ends, an adjusting shaft for said top conveyor provided with gears coacting with said gears on said adjusting screws whereby the slides are simultaneously adjusted, and vertical top conveyor driving shafts having gear connections with said driven shaft of said bottom conveyor and having gears splined thereto coacting with gears'connected to the rear sprocket of said top conveyor.

3. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter units oppositely reciprocated, each cutter being provided with a plurality of blades, the blades of one unit being arrangedin alternating relation to the blades of the other unit, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, a bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprising coacting chains and sprockets and slats carried by the chains, a driven shaft for the rear'sprockets of said bottom conveyor, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor disposed with their rear ends adjacent the forward ends of said guide bars on said slicing table, a top conveyor comprising spaced sprocket chains and coacting sprockets and slats carried by the chains, vertically adjustable slides provided with brackets having journals for the rear sprockets of the topv conveyor, supporting frames for the forward sprockets of said top conveyor tiltably mounted on said journals, adjusting screws for said top conveyor frames, adjusting screws for said slides having gears on their lower ends, an adjusting shaft for said top conveyor provided with gears coacting with said gears on said adjusting screws whereby the slides are simultaneously adjusted, vertical top conveyor driving shafts having gear connections with said driven shaft of said bottom conveyor and having gears splined thereto coacting with gears connected to the rear sprocket of said top conveyor, a plurality of 'top pressure fingers disposed between the blades, a supporting rod on which said pressure fingers are mounted for limited independent movement, supporting brackets forsaid rod mounted on said top conveyor frames for vertical adjustment, and means 'for rotatively adjusting said pressure nger supporting rod on its said supporting brackets.

4. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter units oppositely reciprocated, each cutter being provided with a plurality of blades, the blades of one unit being arranged in alternating relation to the blades of the other unit, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, a bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprising coacting chains and sprockets and slats carried by the chains, a driven shaft for the rear sprockets of said bottom conveyor, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor disposed with their rear ends adjacent the forward ends of said guide bars on said slicing table, a top conveyor comprising spaced sprocket chains and coacting sprockets and slats carried by the chains, vertically adjustable slides provided with brackets having journals for the rear sprockets of the top conveyor, supporting frames for the forward sprockets of said top conveyor tiltably mounted on said journals, adjusting screws for said top conveyor frames, adjusting screws for said slides having gears on their lower ends,'an adjusting shaft for said top conveyor provided with gears coacting with said gears on saidadjusting screws whereby the slides are simultaneously adjusted, and vertical top conveyor driving shafts having gear connections with said driven shaft of said bottom conveyor and having gears splined thereto coacting with gears connected to the rear sprocket of said top conveyor.

5. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter units oppositely reciprocated, each cutter being provided with a plurality of blades, the blades of one unit being arranged in alternating relation to the blades of the other unit, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, a bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprising coacting chains and sprockets and slats carried by the chains, a driven shaft for the rear sprockets of said bottom conveyor, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor disposed with their rear ends adjacent the forward ends of said guide bars on said slicing table, supporting brackets for said side bars overhanging the bottom conveyor, reversely threaded adjusting screws for said brackets, said adjusting screws being mounted for longitudinal adjustment, means for simultaneously rotating said screws, means for simultaneously adjusting .the screws longitudinally, a top conveyor comprising spaced sprocket chains and coacting sprockets and slats carried by the chains, vertically adjustable slides provided with brackets having journals for the rear sprockets of the top conveyor, supporting frames for the forward sprockets of the top conveyor tiltably mounted on said journals, adjusting screws for said top conveyor frames, adjusting screws for said slides having gears on their lower ends, an adjusting shaft for said top conveyor provided with gears coacting with said gears on said adjusting screws whereby the slides are simultaneously adjusted, and vertical top conveyor driving shafts having gear connections with said driven shaft of said bottom conveyor and having gears splined thereto coacting with gears connected to the rear sprocket of said top conveyor.

6. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter means, a slicing table, a bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprisingcoacting chains and sprockets and slats mounted on the chains, a driven shaft for the rear sprockets of said bottom conveyor, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor, a top conveyor comprising spaced sprocket chains and coacting sprockets and slats carried by the chains, vertically adjustable slides provided with brackets having journals for the rear sprockets of the top conveyor, 'supporting frames for the forward sprockets of said top conveyor tiltably mounted on said journals, adjusting screws for said slides having gears on their lower ends, an adjusting shaft for said top conveyor provided with gears coacting with said gears on said adjusting screws whereby the slides are simultaneously adjusted, vertical top conveyor driving shafts having gear connections with said driven shaft of said bottom conveyor and having gears splined` thereto coacting with gears connected to the rear sprocket of said top conveyor, a plurality of top pressure fingers disposed between the blades, a supporting rod on which said pressure fingers are mounted for limited independent movement, supporting brackets for said rod mounted on said top conveyor frames for vertical adjustment, and means for rotatively adjusting said pressure finger supporting rod on its said supporting brackets.

7. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter means, a slicing table, a bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprising coacting chains and sprockets and slats mounted on the chains, a driven shaft for the rear sprockets of said bottom conveyor, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor. a top conveyor comprising spaced sprocket chains and coacting sprockets and slats carried by the chains, vertically adjustable slides provided with brackets having journals for the rear sprockets of the top conveyor, supporting frames for the forward sprockets of said top conveyor tiltably mounted on said journals, adjusting screws for said slides having gears on their lower ends, an adjusting shaft for said top conveyor provided with gears coacting with said gears on said adjusting screws whereby the slides are simultaneously adjusted, and vertical top conveyor driving shafts having gear connections with said driven shaft of said bottom conveyor and having gears splined thereto coacting with gears connected to the rear sprocket of said top conveyor.

8. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter means, a slicing table, a bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprising coacting chains and sprockets and slats mounted on the chains, a driven shaft for the rear sprockets of said bottom conveyor, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor, a top conveyor comprising spaced sprocket chains and coacting sprockets and slats carried by the chains, vertically adjustable slides provided with brackets having journals for the rear sprockets of the top conveyor, supporting frames for the forward sprockets of said top conveyor tiltably mounted on said journals, adjusting means for said top vconveyor frames, adjusting screws for said slides having gears on their lower ends, an adjusting shaft for said top conveyor provided with gears coacting with said gears on said adjusting screws whereby the slides are simultaneously adjusted, and vertical to-p conveyor driving shafts having gear connections with said .driven shaft of said bottom conveyor and having gears splined thereto coacting with gears connected to the rear sprocket of said. top conveyor.

9. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter means comprising a plurality of blades, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, an endless bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprising transverse slats having longitudinally ribbed faces, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor disposed with their rear ends adjacent the forward ends of said guide members, supporting brackets for said side bars, reversely threaded supporting and adjusting screws for said brackets, said adjusting screws being mounted for longitudinal adjustment, means for simultaneously rotating said screws, means for simultaneously adjusting the screws longitudinally, a top conveyor comprising transverse slats, vertically adjustable supports for said top conveyor, means for tilting said top conveyor on its supports, and screw adjusting means for said top conveyor supports.

10. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter means comprising a plurality of blades, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, an endless bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprising transverse slats having longitudinally ribbed faces, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor disposed with their rear ends adjacent the forward ends of said guide members, a top conveyor comprising transverse slats, vertically adjustable supports for said top conveyor, means for tilting said top conveyor on its supports, and screw adjusting means for said top conveyor supports.

l1. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter means comprising a plurality of blades, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, an endless bottom feed conveyor disposed to deliver to said slicing table and comprising transverse slats having longitudinally ribbed faces, side bars operatively associated with said bottom conveyor disposed with their rear ends adjacent the forward ends of said guide members, a top conveyor comprising transverse slats, vertically adjustable supports for said top conveyor, means for tilting said top conveyoron its supports, screw adjusting means for said top conveyor supports, a plurality of top pressure fingers disposed between the blades, and a vertically and rotatably adjustable support on which said pressure lingers are mounted for limited swinging independent movement.

12. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter means including a plurality of reciprocating blades, a slicing table, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, said guide members being provided with longitudinal ribs on their inner sides, a feed delivering tosaid slicing table and comprising side bars operatively associated with said guide members, supporting brackets for said side bar s, reversely threaded supporting and adjusting screws for said brackets, said adjusting screws being mounted forlongitudinal adjustment, means for simultaneously rotating said screws, and means for simultaneouslyadjusting the screws longitudinally.

13. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter units reciprocatingly mounted side by side and oppositely reciprocated, each cutter unit being provided with a plurality of blades,- the blades of one unit being arranged in alternating staggered relation to the blades of the other unit, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends .disposed between selected blades, said guide members being provided with longitudinal ribs'on their inner sides, means for feeding the articles to be sliced to said cutter units comprising top and bottom conveyors provided with transverse slats,l the top conveyor slats having rounded faces and the bottom conveyor slats having longitudinally ribbed faces, said top conveyor being mounted for tilting adjustment, side bars operatively associated with said conveyors and disposed with their rear ends in operative relation to said guide members, a plurality of top pressure fingers disposed between the cutter blades at the rear of the top conveyor, and means for vertically adjusting the top conveyor independent of its tilting adjustment, said pressure lingers being simultaneously adjusted with the vertical adjustment of said top conveyor.

14. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter units reciprocatingly mounted side by side and oppositely reciprocated, each cutter unit being provided with a plurality of blades, the blades of one unit being arranged in altemating staggered relation to the blades of the other unit, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades,

guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, said guide members being pro- .vided with longitudinal ribs on their inner sides, means for feeding the articles to be sliced to said cutter units comprising top and bottom conveyors provided with transverse slats, the bottom conveyor slats having longitudinally ribbed faces, side bars operatively associated with said conveyors and disposed with theirrear ends in operative relation to said guide members, and a pluralityv of top pressure ngers disposed between the cutter blades atthe rearof the top conveyor.

15. In a slicing machine, the combination of cutter means comprising a plurality of spaced blades, a slicing table, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, means for feeding the articles to be sliced to said cutter units comprising top and bottom conveyors provided with transverse slats, side bars operatively associated with said conveyors and disposed with their rear ends in operative relation to said guide members, said top conveyor being mounted for tilting adjustment, a plurality of top pressure fingers disposed between the cutter blades at the rear of the top conveyor, and means for vertically adjusting the top conveyor independent of its tilting adjustment, said pressure fingers being simultaneously adjusted with the vertical adjustment of said top conveyor.

16. In a slicing machine, the combination o cutter means comprising a plurality of spaced blades, a slicing table, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their for- .ward ends disposed between selected blades,

means for feeding the articles to be sliced to said cutter units comprising top and bottom conveyors provided with transverse slats, side bars operatively associated with 'said conveyors and disposed with their rear ends in operative relation to said guide members, and a plurality of top pressure fingers disposed between the cutter blades at the rear of the top conveyors.

17. In a slicing machine, the combination of oppositely reciprocated cutter units, each cutter unit being provided with a plurality of blades, the blades of one unit being arranged in alternating staggered relation to the blades of the other unit, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, said guide members being provided with longitudinal ribs on their inner sides, means for feeding the articles to be sliced to said cutter units comprising top and bottom conveyors provided with transverse slats, said top conveyor being mounted for tilt- 2 ing adjustment, the top conveyor slats having rounded faces and the bottom conveyor slats having longitudinally ribbed faces, and means for vertically adjusting the top conveyor inde- 25 blades of one unit being arranged in alternating 30 staggered relation to the blades of the other unit, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, means for feeding the articles to be sneed to said cutter umts comprising top and 3 bottom conveyors provided with transverse slats, said top conveyor being mounted for tilting adjustment, and means for vertically adjusting the top conveyor independent of its tilting adjustment. 4

19. In a slicing machine, the combination of oppositely reciprocated cutter units, each cutter unit being provided with a plurality of blades, the blades of one unit being arrangedV in alternating staggered relation to the blades of the other unit, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades. guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, said guide members being provided with longitudinal ribs on their inner sides, and means for feeding the articles to'be sliced to said cutter units comprising top and bottom conveyors provided with transverse slats, the top conveyor slats having rounded faces and the bottom conveyor slats having longitudinally ribbed faces.

20. In a slicing machine, the combination of oppositely reciprocated cutter units, cach cutter unit being provided with a plurality of blades, the blades of one unit being arranged in alternating staggered relation to the blades of the other unit, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends dis- 6 posed between selected blades, and means for feeding the articles to be sliced to said cutter units comprising top and bottom conveyors provided with transverse slats.

21. Ina slicing machine, the combination of 70 between selected blades, means for feeding loaves 75 to said cutter means comprising top and bottom conveyors, the top conveyor being supported for vertical and tilting adjustment, screw means for effecting the vertical adjustment, screw means forv effecting the tilting adjustment, side bars operatively associated with said conveyors and with guide members, and pressure fingers disposed between said blades and mounted for vertical adjustment with said top conveyor and to engage the tops of the articles at the rear of said top conveyor.

22. In a slicing machine, the combination of a cutter means comprising a plurality of spaced blades, a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guide members adjustably mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, means for feeding loaves to said cutter means comprising top and bottom conveyors, side bars operatively associated with said conveyors and with said guide members, and pressure fingers disposed between said blades to engage the tops of the articles at the rear of said top conveyor.

23. In a slicing machine, the combination of a cutter means comprising a plurality of blades, a slicing table, means for feeding loaves to said cutter means comprising top and bottom conveyors, the forward end of the bottom conveyor projecting beyond the front end of the top conveyor, the top conveyor being supported for vertical and tilting adjustment, means for eiecting the vertical adjustment, means for effecting the tilting adjustment, and pressure :lingers disposed between said blades and mounted for vertical adjustment with said top conveyor and to engage the tops of the articles at the rear of said top conveyor.

24. In a slicing machine, the combination of a cutter means comprising a plurality of blades, a slicingtable, means for feeding loaves to said cutter means comprising top and bottom conveyors, the top conveyor being supported for vertical and tilting adjustment, means for effecting the vertical adjustment, means for effecting the tilting adjustment, and pressure fingers disposed between said blades and mounted for vertical adjustment with said top conveyor and to engage the tops of the articles at the rear of said top conveyor.

25. In a slicing machine, the combination of a cutter means comprising a plurality of spaced blades, a slicing table, guide members mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, the guide members being provided with longitudinal ribs on their inner sides, pressure fingers disposed between said blades in opposed relation to the slicing table, and means for delivering articles to be sliced to said slicing table and feeding the same/ through the blades by the thrust of the articles engaged by the feed means upon the articles translated through the cutter means, said means comprising endless top and bottom conveyors provided with transverse slats, the slats of the bottom conveyor being longitudinally ribbed and the slats of the top conveyor being rounded.

26. In a slicing machine, the combination of a cutter blades, a slicing table, guide members mounted on said table and having their forward ends disposed between selected blades, pressure fingers disposed between said. blades in opposed relation to the slicing table, and means for delivering articles to be sliced to said slicing table and means comprising a plurality of spaced.

feeding the same through the blades by the thrust of the articles engaged by the feed means upon the articles translated through the cutter means, said means comprising endless top and bottom conveyors, the conveyors being disposed in a rearwardly converging relation and one of them being vertically andtiltably adjustable relative to the other.

27. In a slicing machine, the combination of a cutter means comprising a plurality of spaced lo blades, a slicing table, and means fordelivering compressible articles to be sliced to said slicing table and feeding the same through the blades by the thrust of the articles engaged by the feed means upon the articles translated through the l5 cutter means, said means consisting of endless top and bottom conveyors spaced to compress the articles therebetween and provided with transverse slats so that the compression of the articles between the conveyors causes the bottoms of the articles to be positively engaged by said longitudinally ribbed slats which act to provide an article advancing component in addition to friction, the slats of the top conveyor being rounded so as not to mar the tops of the articles, one of 26 the conveyors being vertically and tiltably adjustable relative to the other.

28. In a slicing machine, the combination of a cutter unit comprising a plurality of spaced blades, an endless conveyor, side bars operatively 30 associated with said conveyor and comprising supporting brackets overhanging the conveyor, reversely threaded adjusting screws for said brackets, said screws being mounted for longitudinal adjustment, means for simultaneously adjusting the screws longitudinally, and guide members adjustably mounted on said slicing table and disposed between cutter blades with their forward ends in operative relation to said side bars.

29. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter means, a slicing table operatively associated therewith, slicer feed means comprising coacting top and bottom flightless slicer conveyors, a feed conveyor comprising a slideway and an endless conveyor provided with flights for translating articles along said way and delivering the same upon said bottom slicer conveyor, a rear side bar common to the slicer and feed conveyors, a front side bar for the slicer conveyors having its forward end overlapping the feed conveyor and diverged outwardly, spring fingers mounted on said side bars with their free ends overhanging the forward end of the bottom slicer conveyor, a discharge conveyor disposed at the rear of the slicing table and comprising a conveyor way, an endless conveyor provided with flights operatively associated with said way, the front end of said delivery conveyor way being disposed in a plane below said slicing table, and a forwardly inclined plate disposed with its front edge below said slicing table and in overlapping spaced relation to the front end of said delivery conveyor way so that the articles discharged from said slicing table are pushed across said plate and drop upon the delivery conveyor way in position to be engaged by the flights of the delivery conveyor.

36. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter means, a slicing table operatively associated therewith, slicer feed means comprising coacting top and bottom flightless slicer conveyors, a feed conveyor comprising a slideway and an endless conveyor provided with nights for translating articles along said way and delivering the same upon said bottom slicer conveyor, a. rear side bar common to the slicer and feed conveyors, a front side bar for the slicer conveyors having its forward end overlapping the feed conveyor and diverged outwardly, and spring fingers mounted on said side bars with their free ends overhanging the forward end of the bottom slicer conveyor.

31. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter means, a slicing table operatively associated therewith, slicer feed means comprising coacting top and bottom nightless Slicer conveyors, a feed conveyor comprising a slideway and an endless conveyor provided with nights for translating articles ,along said way and delivering the same upon said bottom slicerconveyor, a discharge conveyor disposed at the rear of the slicing table and comprising a conveyor way, an endless conveyor provided with nights operatively associated with said way, the front end of said delivery conveyor way being disposed in a plane below said slicing table, and a forwardly inclined plate disposed with its front edge below said slicing table and in overlapping spaced relation to the front end of said delivery conveyor way so that the articles discharged from said slicing table are pushed across said plate and drop upon the delivery conveyor way in position to be engaged by the nights of the delivery conveyor.

32. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter means adapted to cut` an article in the direction of its movement with a plurality of vertical parallel slices with the slices in transverse alinement, a horizontal slicing table operatively associated therewith, means for feeding articles to be sliced to said table, a discharge conveyor disposed at the rear'of the slicing table and comprising an upwardly and rearwardly inclined conveyor way, nights operatively associated with said way, the front end of said conveyor way being disposed in a plane below said slicing table, and a plate disposed with its front edge under the discharge end of said slicing table and in overlapping spaced parallel relation to the inclined front end of said conveyor way so that the sliced articles discharged from said slicing table are pushed upwardly across said plate withl the slices of each article in transverse alinement and drop upon the conveyor way in position to be engaged and elevated by the flights of the conveyor, the feeding means acting to push a train of the articles through thhe cutter means and up said plate to discharge them onto said conveyor way.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter means adapted to cut an article in the direction of its movement with a plurality of vertical parallel slices with the slices in transverse alinement, a horizontal slicing table operatively associated therewith, means for feeding articles to be sliced to said table comprising a nightless conveyor, a feed conveyor comprising a slideway and an endless conveyor provided with nights for translating articles along said way and delivering the same to the slicer conveyor, side bars for said slicer conveyor, spring nngers mounted on said side bars with their free ends rearwardly and overhanging the forward end of the Slicer conveyor, a discharge conveyor disposed at the rear of the slicing table and comprising an upwardly and rearwardly inclined conveyor way, an endless conveyor provided with nights operatively associated with said way, the front end of said discharge conveyor way beingl disposed in a plane below said slicing table, and a plate disposed with its front edge under the discharge end of said slicing table and in overlapping spaced parallel relation to the inclined front end of said discharge conveyor way so that the sliced articles discharged from said slicing table are pushed upwardly across said plate with the slices of each article in transverse alinement and drop upon the discharge conveyor way in position to be engaged and elevated by the nights of the discharge conveyor, the feed conveyor nights acting to push a train of the articles through the cutter means and up said plate to discharge them onto said discharge conveyor way.

34. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter means adapted to cut an article in the direction of its movement with a plurality of vertical parallel slices with. the slices in transverse alinement, a horizontal slicing table operatively associated therewith, means for continuously feeding articles to be sliced to said table comprising a nightless slicer conveyor, a feed conveyor comprising a slideway and an endless conveyor provided with nights for translating the articles along said slideway and delivering the same to the slicer conveyor, side bars for said Slicer conveyor, spring nngers mounted on said side bars with their free ends rearwardly and overhanging the forward end of the slicer con plurality of vertical parallel slices with the slices in transverse alinement, a horizontal slicing table operatively associated therewith, means for feeding articles tobe sliced to said table comprising a flightless conveyor, a feed conveyor comprising a slideway and an endless conveyor provided with nights for translating articles along said way and delivering the same to the slicer conveyor, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined endless conveyor provided with nights operatively associated with said Way, the front end of` said endless conveyor way being disposed in a plane below said slicing table, and a plate disposed with its front edge under the discharge end of said slicing table and in overlapping spaced parallel relation to the front end of said delivery conveyor way so that the sliced articles discharged from said slicing table are pushed upwardly across said plate with the slices of each article in transverse alinement and drop upon the delivery conveyor way in positionto be engaged and elevated by the nights of the discharge conveyor, the feed conveyor nights acting to push a train of the articles through the cutter means and up said plate to discharge them onto said discharge conveyor way.

36. In a slicing machine, the combination with a cutter comprising a plurality of reciprocating blades, of a slicing table slotted to receive the blades, guides mounted on said slicing table and having their forward ends disposed between blades, pressure fingers disposed between the blades, a rod on which said pressure fingers are pivotally mounted for limited independent movement, and means for vertically and rotatably adjusting said rod for positioning said pressure fingers.

37. In a slicing machine. the combination of.

a frame provided with opposed pairs of parallel slideways of V cross section, cutter units comprising rectangular frames formed as integral4 castings, opposed pairs of journal bearings, V-shaped slides coacting with said ways and provided with journals disposed in said bearings, a series of blades mounted on each cutter frame, a crankshaft having opposite throws, connecting rods, cross heads for said connecting rods, pitmen connected to said crossheads and detachably connected to the bottom members of the cutter frames, and a crank case for said crankshaft and connecting rods provided with slideways for said crossheads opening to the crank case.

38. In a slicing machine, the combination of a frame provided with opposed pairs of parallel slideways of V cross section, cutter units comprising rectangular frames formed as integral castings, opposed pairs of journal bearings, V- shaped slides coacting with said ways and provided With journals disposed in said bearings, a series of blades mounted on each cutter frame, and means for simultaneously reciprocating said cutter units in opposite directions.

39. In a slicing machine, the combination of a frame provided with opposed parallel slideways open at the top of the frame, a cutter unit comprising a rectangular frame, vertically spaced slides coacting with said ways and having pivotal connection with said cutter unit, a series of blades mounted on said cutter frame, and means for reciprocating said cutter unit.

CARL LITI'LEFIELD. 

